The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Shape shifting high and a haunting eye
Falling plastic and paper demons!
No trace of time I'm branded sly
I am you ghost master baby free me!
All you know is alone
You see a Phantom Stranger!
All you know is alone
You see a Phantom Stranger!
My sinister sounds sweep the grounds
Still born I lie beneath it
I throw it away the freaks all stay
Deformed and laughing screaming!
All you know, is alone
You see a Phantom Stranger!
All you know, is alone
You love my Phantom Stranger!
A wretched heart in the dark decay, dominate forever
Destroy the things you and see if I remember
All you know, is alone
You see a Phantom Stranger!
Down you go, all alone
You love my Phantom Stranger!
Falling plastic and paper demons!
No trace of time I'm branded sly
I am you ghost master baby free me!
All you know is alone
You see a Phantom Stranger!
All you know is alone
You see a Phantom Stranger!
My sinister sounds sweep the grounds
Still born I lie beneath it
I throw it away the freaks all stay
Deformed and laughing screaming!
All you know, is alone
You see a Phantom Stranger!
All you know, is alone
You love my Phantom Stranger!
A wretched heart in the dark decay, dominate forever
Destroy the things you and see if I remember
All you know, is alone
You see a Phantom Stranger!
Down you go, all alone
You love my Phantom Stranger!
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Could be that last one (Rob doesn't strike me as a Dungeons and Dragon kinda guy, cool as that idea is), though looking at it he could be writing about himself. "Shapeshifting high and a haunted eye" if you've ever seen Rob's artwork, both of those lines apply to it, usually strangely metaporphosed demons and other haunting figures. The second verse speaks of sinister sounds sweeping the grounds (which Rob does indeed make) though he's not really famous. A lot of people know his name, but he doesn't get mobbed like Ozzy or KoRn, so he kind of lies beneath his own fame. He throws away everything that made him famous, but still his fans stay. This is kinda repeated in the third verse, where he destroyed the things we love (White Zombie and their musical style), but sure of his fans loyalty ad his own skill that he won't need to cling to his old glory, or "see if I remember".